Managing Archives

Course Timetable:

Registration: June 1 - August 11, 2025 

Course duration: September 8 - November 17, 2025

AABC Anti-Racism Bursary

This course is eligible for the AABC Anti-Racism Bursary which covers the course registration cost and required textbook(s). More information about the bursary, eligibility, and a link to apply can be found HERE.

Bursary application deadline: T.B.D.

Course Description:

This course is aimed at trained archivists who find themselves in charge of an archives as well as non-archivists who find themselves managing on unfamiliar ground. Archivists, curators, librarians, records managers, information technologists, and volunteers may find this course useful. Using the publications The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository and Management: Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections students will be introduced to issues related to the management of an archival repository and develop the skills to assess and develop strategies to leading to the successful management within their own organization.

Topics for the course modules include:

Module 1.    Management?  Management!

Module 2.    Collections management

Module 3.    Information technology

Module 4.    Planning

Module 5.    Facilities

Module 6.    Advocacy and outreach

Module 7.    Financial management and budgeting

Students will receive, by electronic mail, a Self-study Guide which includes instructions, supplementary readings (where applicable), self-study questions, and in most modules, a practical project. The self-study questions and projects will be submitted to the Instructor for evaluation. Upon successfully completing all the course assignments, students will receive a certificate of completion for the course.

Students can expect to work about 10-12 hours per week on readings and assignments for the duration of the course.

Instructor: Lisa Glandt, AABC Education and Advisory Services Coordinator

Cost: AABC members $350.00 (CAD) / Non-member $500.00 (CAD); plus the cost of the course textbooks

Textbooks: Christina Zamon. The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository (SAA, 2012) and Kate Theimer. Management:  Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections (Rowman and Littlefield, 2014) 

Student Comments for this Course:

"I found the readings and the course content really interesting. It was well paced and I really liked the layout and layering of the modules. The course helped me isolate where I need to focus and helped me articulate my transferable skills sets to be confident I am able to manage the Archives. Thank you very much!

"I really enjoyed the course. The last assignment really has me thinking about a lot of things. I know the textbooks are going to be great references. Thank you for your comments on all my assignments."

"What a great course this has been.  I have learned so much and know it will be a foundation for building our archival program.

All your comments on the homework were helpful and supportive. Thank you."